Languages
Our portal
Annual Report
Impact Report
Frequently asked questions
Send to friend
Printer-friendly version
1. What is the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer?
2. What is cancer control?
3. Why do we need a national strategy for cancer control?
4. Have other countries taken this approach?
5. How will the Partnership improve cancer outcomes in Canada?
6. How does the Partnership carry out its work?
7. What is an Advisory Group?
8. What is the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow Project?
9. How can I get involved with cancer control efforts?
10. What is the history of the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer?
11. How is the Partnership funded?
12. Is the Partnership a federal government agency?
13. What happens to Canada's national cancer control strategy after the five-year funding commitment to the Partnership is complete?
14. Aren't there already a lot of cancer agencies? What is different about the Partnership?
15. How does the Partnership support Aboriginal communities?
16. How can I contact the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer?
1. What is the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer?
The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer is an independent organization funded by the federal government to accelerate action on cancer control for all Canadians. We bring together cancer survivors, patients and families, cancer experts and government representatives to implement the first pan-Canadian cancer control strategy. Our vision is to be a driving force to achieve a focused approach that prevents cancer, enhances the quality of life for those affected by cancer, lessens the likelihood of dying from cancer and increases the efficiency of cancer control in Canada.
2. What is cancer control?
Cancer control involves the entire population. It is not limited to those who have been diagnosed with cancer and are being treated within the cancer-care system. Rather, cancer control spans prevention, screening, education, research, treatment, supportive care and surveillance (the gathering and analysis of data related to cancer).
3. Why do we need a national strategy for cancer control?
Despite significant improvements in cancer prevention, treatment and survival, more and more Canadians are being diagnosed with cancer. This is partly because we have an aging population, but cancer is not only a disease of the elderly. Cancer has become the leading cause of death in middle-aged adults in Canada. According to Canadian Cancer Statistics 2009
, about 40 per cent of Canadian women and 45 per cent of men will develop cancer during their lifetimes.
4. Have other countries taken this approach?
Yes, the movement toward a pan-Canadian strategy is in keeping with international best practices. Since 2002, the World Health Organization has been urging countries to develop national cancer control programs as the best means for reducing the incidence and impact of cancer and improving the quality of life for those with the disease. The United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and France are among the countries that have recently developed national cancer control strategies.
5. How will the Partnership improve cancer outcomes in Canada?
The Partnership's role is to act as a catalyst for a coordinated approach that combines strengths of the Canadian cancer control community, maximizes efforts and resources, and achieves outcomes across the cancer control continuum. We concentrate on enhancing prevention, screening and early detection, patient-centred care, cancer guidelines, health human resources, research and surveillance (the gathering and analysis of data related to cancer). Our national mandate gives us a strong ability to leverage the work of many partners across the country and to draw on international resources.
6. How does the Partnership carry out its work?
Many of the Partnership's key initiatives are led by seven Advisory Groups, made up of numerous individuals contributing their time and expertise to transforming ideas into action. We work closely with provincial cancer agencies, government departments, and charitable and non-governmental organizations to stimulate generation of new knowledge and accelerate the implementation of existing knowledge about cancer control across Canada. We also receive guidance from a number of working groups, advisory groups and steering committees who provide input to specific initiatives that are a part of the Partnership’s mandate.
Our work is governed by a Board of Directors composed of representatives from cancer organizations; the provinces/territories; patient, family and survivor groups; the Aboriginal community; and the federal government.
7. What is an Advisory Group?
Advisory Groups, formerly called Action Groups, are collaborative networks of volunteer experts – including health practitioners and administrators, epidemiologists, researchers, patients and families - who contribute cancer control knowledge and expertise to the Partnership. More information...
8. What is the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow Project?
The Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow Project is a study that explores how genetics, environment, lifestyle and behaviour contribute to the development of cancer. The largest of its kind in this country, the pan-Canadian study will track 300,000 Canadians (ages 35 to 69) for at least the next 20 to 30 years. It will gather information on health and lifestyle through surveys and the collection of blood and other specimens. The information will help researchers, policy-makers and others understand how different combinations of risk-factors lead to cancer.
The Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow Project is being driven forward by partner organizations in five regions: the BC Cancer Agency, the Alberta Cancer Board, Cancer Care Ontario with the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Quebec's CARTaGENE project, and Cancer Care Nova Scotia with Dalhousie University collaborating for work in the Atlantic Provinces. Study funding is comprised of $42 million in support from The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, in addition to regional commitments.
9. How can I get involved with cancer control efforts?
Opportunities within the Partnership will be posted on the Partnership website and publicly advertised as needs arise. Additionally, please consider working with our partners directly.
10. What is the history of the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer?
The Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control (CSCC) was the volunteer organization that drafted Canada's first national plan for cancer control, The Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control: A Cancer Plan for Canada (1.42 MB), and successfully advocated for its funding. Once funding was in place, the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer was established to refine and implement the work the CSCC had commenced. Key stakeholder groups from the CSCC have continuing roles in the Partnership's structure, on the Board of Directors and on various working groups, advisory groups and steering committees that provide input to specific initiatives that are part of the Partnership’s mandate.
Today, the overall priorities set out by the CSCC remain the Partnership's priorities. Additionally, the Advisory Groups established under the CSCC are moving this work forward. These teams have been supported by the Partnership's staff since we began operations on April 1, 2007.
11. How is the Partnership funded?
The federal government, through Health Canada, has committed $250 million over five years for implementation of the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control through the Partnership.
12. Is the Partnership a federal government agency?
While we receive federal funding, we are an independent corporation – the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer Corporation – that operates at arm's length from the government. We are accountable to Health Canada through a funding agreement, and the federal government has representation on our Board of Directors.
13. What happens to Canada's national cancer control strategy after the five-year funding commitment to the Partnership is complete?
Cancer control is a long-term commitment. Today, the Partnership is building depth and momentum in its initiatives by coordinating and accelerating action. These first five years represent the Partnership's first mandate and during this time we expect to make significant progress in Canada's cancer control domain.
14. Aren't there already a lot of cancer agencies? What is different about the Partnership?
The Partnership is unique in bringing a national effort to the coordination of a cancer system that is largely funded by provinces and territories. Because Canada has 10 provinces, three territories and many organizations working toward the same goals, the Partnership represents an unprecedented opportunity to share the best available knowledge and to enhance the unique strengths of diverse stakeholders through support and collaboration. To achieve our vision, we work with partners across the cancer control continuum. Some of our partners provide care to patients. Others advocate for change. Some raise money and fund research programs. Some are policy-makers. These are not our roles and we will not duplicate their efforts. We are not an advocacy group and we do not have a fundraising component.
15. How does the Partnership support Aboriginal communities?
We work with national Aboriginal organizations, cancer agencies, the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, the Public Health Agency of Canada and others to identify partnership opportunities that will have a meaningful impact on cancer control for First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. Together with the leadership of the B.C., Manitoba and Ontario cancer agencies, as well as national Aboriginal organizations, we hosted a national forum in the Spring of 2009 to inform the development of a national First Nations/Inuit/Métis strategy for cancer control through the Partnership.
We have also partnered with Saint Elizabeth Health Care to launch a web-based course that offers health-care providers working with First Nations communities around-the-clock access to cancer-related learning modules. Additionally, we are working with the Assembly of First Nations, both nationally and in Quebec, on initiatives that will enhance capacity to address the growing burden of cancer on First Nations communities.
16. How can I contact the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer?
We can be reached by email at info@partnershipagainstcancer.ca, or by mail at:
Canadian Partnership Against Cancer,
1 University Avenue, Suite 300
Toronto, ON M5J 2P1.
Telephone: 416-915-9222
Toll free: 1-877-360-1665
Fax: 416-915-9224.
(Last updated February 26, 2010)